In the Belgian city of Antwerp, for the first time since World War II, the authorities have declared a curfew for residents at night, mouth protection has been mandatory in all public places for a few days now and mass testing has been reintroduced. 

Fine of SEK 8,000

Concerns have increased here after the number of cases has steadily increased in recent weeks and now great efforts are being made to try to reverse the trend. 

Police patrol the streets to inspect so that residents follow the new rules and those caught without mouth guards risk a fine of the equivalent of almost 8,000 Swedish kronor. Similar measures have been introduced in several countries, but it is not only the oral protection requirements that separate large parts of Europe from Sweden.

Travelers are interviewed

In several grocery stores, the shopping carts between each customer are disinfected, spraying their hands is often mandatory to get in and in Belgium, requirements have also been introduced for how many people can spend time with privately.  

Controls between the countries have also tightened. The traveler is asked where it has been, where it is going and residential address. 

Many are worried

The forms that are to be filled in are increasing and even at the restaurants, you as a guest are now required to answer questions about health, address and contact information. 

If this is the start of a wave as high as the one in the spring and if the measures are the right ones, no one probably knows, but several we meet point out that it is time to adjust to the infection now returning to Europe with full force again.